Features

After a nice holiday break, we continue our Bolt Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for his recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Bolt Prospect of the Week for January 7, 2014 is … Cameron Darcy, Center, Sherbrooke Phoenix (QMJHL – Canada).

There are turnarounds, then there's what Lightning prospect Cam Darcy is doing.

Darcy’s story is well known – he was intent on getting a pro contract last fall, but the Lightning sent him back to juniors for an overage year so he could get stronger. The South Boston native didn’t produce anywhere close to the level that made him a second team all-star with Cape Breton last year and eventually the Eagles had to move on. Darcy was traded to Sherbrooke, where he suddenly found his game again.

The Syracuse defenseman, one of the last players cut from Tampa Bay Lightning training camp who earned a short call-up in October but didn't play, isn't worried about when he will have the opportunity to make his NHL debut. Even with the Lightning's blueline being banged up, Witkowski is focused on his game and doing what he can to help the Crunch.

"I'm not really worried about that right now," Witkowski said of the possibility of a promotion.

Syracuse head coach Rob Zettler has seen progress in Witkowski's second professional season.

As far as Lightning prospect watching goes, outside of a Calder Cup it’s hard to top the past week.

Our top-rated prospect, Jonathan Drouin, was finally freed, taking the left wing spot on Tampa Bay’s top line next to Steven Stamkos and Ryan Callahan. Drouin was also promoted to the top power play unit, though “promoted” could be interpreted as a reply to an S.O.S. signal that didn’t include red lights.

Then there’s 19-year-old goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy. Our No. 2 prospect made his NHL debut with a stellar performance in Philadelphia, allowing an early, no-chance deflection goal. On Saturday, Vasilevskiy put on a cape and turned in one of the best goaltending performances in Lightning history, stopping 45 of 47 shots in an eventual 3-1 loss to the Islanders. Lightning skaters had the best seats in the house for Vasy’s show and did their fair share of watching.